Buy Bitcoin

How to buy Bitcoin (BTC) and what is the best way to buy Bitcoin in the UK

So you want to buy Bitcoin (BTC). If you are new to Bitcoin, the buying process may seem a little confusing. To buy BTC for the first time, you will need to register with an online exchange, verify your account and then transfer money to the exchange. This process can take several days or even weeks. As we are still in the early stages of mainstream cryptocurrency adoption, the platforms providing an opportunity to buy Bitcoin in the UK with British pounds are limited. Trying to buy Bitcoin in the UK including online for GBP, can be especially challenging as the main BTC buying and exchange platform permit Bitcoin (BTC) purchases in Dollars and Euros only.

We have listed some of the most reliable platforms where you can buy Bitcoin (BTC) with GBP, EUR or US dollars.

Buy Bitcoin with a Debit or Credit Card

Coinbase lets you buy Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and as of recently Ethereum Classic (ETC) instantly with a credit or debit card. With this referral link, you get £7 free when you spend £100 or more. Your GBP will be converted into Euros before you can buy Bitcoin (BTC). The applied fee is 3.99%. It is advised to open a Euro bank account to avoid the extra currency exchange fees. This will also be beneficial if you are looking to sell Bitcoin and withdraw the cash back to your UK bank account. There is a purchase limit of up to £500 per week. Coinbase is also available as an Android or iOS app.

CoinbasePro (formerly known as GDAX) lets you avoid the 3.99% Coinbase fees! It’s a Coinbase owned exchange and you can use the same login credentials for both. CoinbasePro is one of the most secure crypto exchanges and includes an insurance policy of up to $250,000. Bank account deposits are free and transfers from Coinbase into CoinbasePro are also free. It is particularly useful if you are making many small transactions or very large once.

Blockchain.info is one of the most secure online platforms for purchasing Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) with fiat money. You can use your UK debit or credit card to buy Bitcoin instantly. It is simple and easy to navigate, although the initial verification process is extended. Blockchain.info is also available as an app on Android or iOS. There is a £200 daily limit.

CEX.IO is a UK based cryptocurrency exchange where you can buy Bitcoin and Ethereum with a debit or credit card. It is beginner friendly and has a helpful customer support team behind it. Fees are quite a bit higher than on Coinbase, but it is also an exchange so you could save on transfer fees. The daily deposit and withdrawal limit for a verified account is comparatively high at $10,000.

Bittylicious facilitates the purchase of Bitcoin with a UK bank transfer, Barclays Pingit, RBS/Natwest PYC, as well as a debit card or credit card. This UK based exchange is very simple to navigate. It works by matching up buyers and sellers and there are no fees to buy Bitcoin (BTC). But as the prices are set by the brokers, it is important to check you are getting a good BTC rate. It may also struggle with a lack of liquidity on occasion, due to its business model.

Buy Bitcoin with cash in your local area

LocalBitcoins is a Bitcoin trading site allowing people to place listings and buy or sell Bitcoin with cash. The BTC listings platform operates in more than 200 countries globally. You can choose from many Bitcoin sellers based in the UK. You can then meet the person in your local area to buy Bitcoin with pounds sterling, or buy online with your UK bank account.

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as investment or trading advice. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can be extremely volatile and you should always do your due diligence and research on the product, service and legal and regulatory requirements before deciding to invest or trade. We do not take any responsibility for any possible losses you may incur.